The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought many new words to England from which surnames were formed. Jollay was one of these new Norman names. It was specifically tailored to its first bearer, who was a person originating in France, and was associated with the French Huguenots. This nickname surname originated with an early member who was a happy and lively person. But we must look to Normandy where the earliest records of the root name was found. As a variant of Jolliffe, it was found there as early as 1195 with N. Giolif. Three years later Robert Jolif was listed in a census in the same area of Normandy.

Early Origins of the Jollay family

The surname Jollay was first found in Yorkshire where there are numerous variations of the name listed in the YorkshirePoll Tax Rolls of 1379 including: Johannes Yoly, Agnes, servienes Joly Johnan, Henricus Joly; Ricardus Jolyman; Willelmus Jolyman and Johannes Jolyman. This distinguished Huguenot family were granted lands firstly in Staffordshire. Many moved north into Scotland where records there show Alan and Bervy Jolly were granted lands in the county of Edinburgh in 1450.

Early History of the Jollay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Jollay research.Another 145 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1541, 1677, 1684, 1629, 1703, 1659 and 1714 are included under the topic Early Jollay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Jollay Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Jollie, Jolley, Jolly, Jollys and others.

Early Notables of the Jollay family (pre 1700)

Notable in the family at this time was Rev. James Jollie, senior chaplain of the Church of Scotland and chaplain of St. Andrew's Church in Madras; Thomas Jollie (1629-1703) was an English Dissenter, a minister ejected for his... Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Jollay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Jollay family to Ireland

Some of the Jollay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 37 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Jollay family to the New World and Oceana

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Jollay or a variant listed above: Francis Jolly, who settled in Virginia in 1648; John Jolly settled in Virginia in 1637; along with Joseph, Marjorie, Mary; David, George, Thomas and Edward Jolly all arrived in Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1860..